Adjustable table podium

ABSTRACT

A transportable, easily adjustable, readily assembled and collapsible podium for use in lectures. The podium comprises a solid front panel, against which the lecture material rests; a lip projecting outwardly from the substantial bottom of the front panel, upon which the lecture material sits; and a base, which may rest on a supporting surface. The podium further comprises a pivoting arm hingedly attached to the backside of the front panel providing stable, angularly adjustable prop means for the lecture material to be viewed at the angle most comfortable for the user. Once in its assembled form, the podium will not spontaneously collapse or disassemble when handled or if grabbed at the front panel because of the podium&#39;s interlocking means between the pivoting arm and base. The pivoting arm effortlessly slips into one of several openings in the base and interlocks with the rim of the opening, locking it into place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates in general to podiums used to prop up notes for a lecturer or speaker, and in particular to podiums which are easily collapsible and transportable yet durable, can be angularly adjusted, and securely maintain structural stability in the adjusted position.

2. Description of the Related Art

In meetings around a conference table, a seated speaker or lecturer would find it convenient to place his/her reports or lecture notes on a podium that rests on the table. The speaker may then view the lecture notes from the podium which would prop up the notes at a particular angle where they may be easily read without strain on the eyes nor on the neck. In addition, the podium must be angularly adjustable such that the user may choose the angle at which the lecture notes may be most conveniently read. The podium may also be used to support any visual aids in such a manner that it may be readily viewed by the observers. Such a podium must also be easily assembled and transportable for swift setup and transport from, for example, one's office desk to the conference room. When assembled, the podium should contain means for preventing unintentional slippage from its set-up position when handled or bumped. Thus, the podium should securely maintain its structural stability, retain the particular angle to which it was adjusted, and remain in set-up position even if the speaker were to transfer the podium from one location to another, rest his/her hands on the podium or otherwise grab the podium, or accidentally bump the podium.

Several attempts have been made in an effort to supply the need for such a podium. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,012,551 to Steen (1935), U.S. Pat. No. 2,373,617 to Tiryakian (1945), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,817 to Aquino (1986) describe collapsible devices which are easy to assemble, easily transportable, hold notes in an angled position, and could function for use as podiums. However, these devices do not provide a mechanism to angularly adjust the podium to the particular angle most comfortable for the user. Instead the user must conform to the given angle of the podium. This could compromise the comfort of the user as he/she may still be forced to contort his/her neck and head to view the notes properly since the angle at which the notes may be most optimally viewed would differ according to both the height of the table on which the podium rests and the height of the user.

Other prior art address this need for angular adjustability in a podium. U.S. Pat. No. 1,220,705 to Tayte (1917), U.S. Pat. No. 1,564,594 to Leh (1925), U.S. Pat. No. 2,374,409 to Brennan (1945), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,299 to Thermos et al. (1996), and all refer to easily transportable, collapsible, and angularly adjustable bookstands. Should either one of these devices be used as a podium, they may be adjusted to the angle most comfortable for the user. However, in all the afore mentioned U.S. Patents, save U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,817 to Aquino (1986), no provision is made to lock the device in the adjusted position, such that if the speaker were to grab the podium by the panel which holds the lecture material, to, for example, move to another location, the base or panel which sits upon a supporting surface would swing outward, dislodging the component used to prop up the panel holding the lecture material, causing the device to disassemble and lose the angle to which it may have been adjusted, creating a nuisance for the user.

Other devices contain means for angular adjustability and address the need for prevention against accidental disassembly or separation of components. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,165,255 to Hamilton (1939) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,835 to Hummel (1955) describe collapsible stands made from blanks which could be used as podiums. To prevent accidental separation of the devices' several panels, the devices utilize a tab at the end of one panel which is inserted into a slot in another panel. However, Hummel calls for a lateral sliding movement of the device in order to engage the components. Hamiliton calls for the tab to be bent after insertion into the slot. Thus, since the components are not of a fixed shape, the components can just as easily be moved out of shape and become disengaged. Furthermore, the hold of the tab could easily come undone with a small amount of pressure should the user grab the device at the panel which holds the lecture notes.

Another device which addresses the need for angular adjustability and stability is U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,82 to Wootton (1889). This patent presents a device which, if used as a podium, would remain intact if handled at the supporting frame which could function to support the lecture notes. Yet although its design is collapsible, transportable, and would not readily lose the angle to which the device has been adjusted, its mechanism for locking the device at a particular angle (the holes of the device's components must be properly aligned and a pin must be inserted through the holes) is too intricate and inconvenient as the pin could easily be dropped while handled or could also be lost or misplaced. Also, the design of this device is quite flimsy as papers may readily fall through the bars of the supporting frame intended to hold the materials set upon it because the supporting frame is not a solid surface. The supporting frame is also not designed to hold reports or books which a speaker may use as reference nor does it seem strong enough to support such materials. Thus this device would not be the most practical for use as a podium.

Yet another device which addresses the need for angular adjustability and stability is U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,231 to Doerksen (1989, later abandoned). This patent provides an easily transportable, collapsible, angularly adjustable bookstand. However, the mechanism for retaining the bookstand in a particular position at the desired angle utilizes hook and loop fabric strips. Because the connections between the bookstand's base panel, the panel that holds the book, and the panel that supports the angled position is achieved by simple adhesion, the connection is not solidly reliable. Therefore, the connection between the panels could loosen or come apart should a certain amount of pressure be put upon it from, for example, one's hand or from a weighty book or report. Furthermore, the adhesive strength of the materials would weaken over time with use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite the utility of all the previously cited references, none of them function as effectively as the present invention for use as a podium. Therefore, in light of the mentioned necessary attributes of a practical podium, one object of the present invention is to provide a podium that is collapsible, easily assembled, and readily transportable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a podium that is angularly adjustable to thereby position written materials in an angle comfortable for the user's needs.

Furthermore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a podium which, when assembled, remains intact and is reliably secure in retaining its angle in set-up position even when a downward or upward pressure is applied to the panel supporting the lecture notes or when the panel supporting the lecture notes and the base are pulled in opposite directions. Hence, the podium would be stable enough that a lecturer may freely hold onto, rest his/her hands on, or lift up the assembled podium by the panel to move the podium to another location without fearing it coming apart, spontaneously disassembling, or losing the angle to which it has been adjusted. The podium would also remain stable if bumped by the lecturer or an observer.

Moreover, another object of the present invention is to supply means for angular retention that is not only stable, but also simple, easy-to-use, and requires minimal effort to set-up.

The additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily evident after considering the enclosed drawings and subsequent detailed description.

To accomplish the objects expressed above, the present invention comprises: a front panel with a solid surface against which the back of the lecture material may rest; a lip towards the bottom of the front panel projecting outwardly towards the lecturer and upon which the bottom edge of the lecture material may rest; a base, the bottom surface of which may sit on a supporting surface such as a table or desk; a pivoting arm, which serves as angularly adjustable prop means for the front panel; and interlocking means between the pivoting arm and the base, which serves to hold the pivoting arm in place and lock it onto the base. Interlocking means is provided as follows: the pivoting arm is attached at its proximal end to the backside of the front panel by pivotal means. The distal end of the pivoting arm is of a fixed, predetermined shape such that it may latch and interlock onto any one of a series of receptacles disposed along the upper surface of the base in line with the trajectory of the pivoting arm. Each receptacle comprises an opening which serves to house the tip of the pivoting arm and a rim which the tip latches onto. Thus, the tip of the pivoting arm at its distal end and the receptacle which it locks onto comprise the interlocking means. The interlocking means holds the pivoting arm in place; provides a stable connection between the pivoting arm and the base such that the structural stability of the podium would not be compromised should the podium be handled at either the front panel or the base; and allows means for angularly adjustable prop means as latching the pivoting arm onto a different receptacle accordingly correlates with a different angle. Also, because of the simple mechanism of the interlocking means and because the openings for the receptacles on the base are in line with the trajectory of the pivoting arm, the pivoting arm quickly and easily slides into place, slipping into the openings to interlock with the base for quick and easy set-up of the podium.

The podium is collapsed by dislodging the pivoting arm from the receptacle by pulling it up towards the front panel until it is flat against the front panel and laying both the pivoting arm together with the front panel flat against the base by folding the podium along its hinged means until the front panel, pivoting arm, and base lie parallel and are in contact with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

An illustrative presentation of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and two variant embodiments ensues, accompanied by drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the podium in set-up position for use;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the podium in set-up position for use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional side view of the base and tip of pivoting arm in set-up position

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, isometric exploded view of the base and its components;

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the podium with arrows indicating the direction of movement for collapsing the podium

FIG. 6 is a side view of the podium in collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the first variant embodiment

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the second variant embodiment

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of receptacle 13″ of the second variant embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a front overall perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The preferred embodiment comprises a solid panel providing a solid surface as front panel 1. Projecting outwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the substantial bottom of the front side of front panel 1 is lip 2.

As marked in FIG. 2, lip 2 may be fastened onto front panel 1 by screws 14 positioned through the back of front panel 1 screwed into the adjacent surface of lip 2.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the bottom edge of the lecture material would sit on top of lip 2 while the back of the lecture material would rest against the solid surface of front panel 1.

As best viewed from FIG. 2, base 3 is hingedly attached to the back side of the substantial bottom of front panel 1. This may be done by screwing plate 15 of preferably-metal hinge 18 (having hinge means known in the art such as utilized by the common door hinge which is comprised of two plates pivotedly connected together by hinge pin means) onto the upper surface of base 3 and screwing the other plate, plate 16, of hinge 18 onto the backside of the bottom of front panel 1. Front panel 1, lip 2, and base 3 may be constructed from a number of different rigid materials such as plastic, metal, or rigid cardboard. However, for durability and for aesthetic preferences, the preferred embodiment would be made of wood and have some metal components, such as the metal hinges. Front panel 1, lip 2, and base 3, in particular would be made from wood panels. Hingedly attached at its proximal end onto front panel 1 is an angularly adjustable prop means embodied in preferably-metal pivoting arm 4. Pivoting arm 4 is hingedly attached onto front panel 1 by screwing plate 17 of preferably-metal hinge 19 (having hinge means known in the art such as utilized by the common door hinge which is comprised of two plates pivotedly connected together by hinge pin means) onto the backside of front panel 1 while the other plate of hinge 19 comprises pivoting arm 4.

Refer now to FIG. 3, an enlarged, cross-sectional side view of the podium. Tip 6, located at the distal end of pivoting arm 4, is of a fixed, predetermined shape to interlock at any of the receptacles 13 disposed along the length of base 3. Thus, in the case of the preferred embodiment, tip 6 would be slightly curved. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, each of the receptacles 13 is comprised of mouth 11 and cavity 12.

Refer now to FIG. 4, an enlarged, isometric exploded view of the base and its components. The components mouth 11 and cavity 12 which comprise receptacles 13 are created as follows. In upper surface of the base, in line with the trajectory of the pivoting arm 4 is a hollow space or cavity 12, created by chiseling out a portion of the wood. The space may then be partially filled with wood putty to smoothen the surface of cavity 12 and to ensure its proper depth. Cavity 12 would be covered by preferably-metal plate 9, screwed onto the upper surface of base 3 over cavity 12. Plate 9 would have a plurality of oval openings enclosed by the rim of plate 9 each of which serve as mouth 11 and lead into cavity 12. The space enclosed by mouth 11 would also be included with cavity 12, as pointed out in FIG. 3.

Refer once again to FIGS. 1-3 for several views of interlocking means 20. Interlocking means 20 comprises tip 6 and receptacles 13, wherein tip 6 interlocks at receptacles 13. Interlocking means 20 functions as follows: Tip 6 (again, of pivoting arm 4) is inserted into the opening of mouth 11. Tip 6 then locks onto mouth 11 by latching onto the rim of plate 9 and is housed by cavity 12. Tip 6 and receptacle 13 thus, remain interlocked at mouth 11 even if the podium were to be handled. Therefore, tip 6 together with receptacles 13 comprise the interlocking means 20 which hold pivoting arm 4 in place. Interlocking means 20 also allows pivoting arm 4 to hold front panel 1 and base 3 together at a particular angle with relation to one another providing stable prop means for front panel 1. As a result, the structural stability of the podium in its assembled form would remain intact and in position. The podium is locked into place and will not collapse, spontaneously disassemble, nor lose the angular position to which it was adjusted even if it should be handled or grabbed and lifted up at front panel 1. Furthermore, because of the design of the interlocking means and because the openings of mouth 11 are positioned along the trajectory of pivoting arm 4, tip 6 easily slips into place into receptacles 13 with little effort, making the podium easy to set-up for use. Also, the plurality of receptacles 13 provides angular adjustability as latching tip 6 with any one of the plurality of receptacles 13 would each correspond with a different angle. Thus, the present invention provides an easy-to-use, readily transportable, easily assembled and collapsible podium that is angularly adjustable, slips right into set-up position, and is securely stable despite handling in its assembled form.

The podium may be disassembled and collapsed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the preferred embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, disassembly is performed by dislodging pivoting arm 4 from receptacle 13 by pulling pivoting arm 4 up towards front panel 1 until pivoting arm 4 is flat against front panel 1. Pivoting arm 4 together with front panel 1 would then fold down at the podium's hinged means until front panel 1, pivoting arm 4, and base 3 lie parallel and are in contact with one another as pictured in FIG. 6.

In a variant embodiment, the interlocking system 20′ is realized by utilizing a hook and eye device as illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus, pivoting arm 4′ would comprise a rod with a hook at the distal end which would serve as tip 6′ and a loop 21 at its proximal end which interlocks with loop 22, which is screwed into the back of front panel 1′. Interlocking loops 21 and 22 provide the pivoting arm with pivotal means. Disposed along the length of base 3′ of the variant embodiment would be a plurality of eyes screwed into its upper surface. Each eye comprises the receptacle unit 13′ wherein the open ring of the eye serves as mouth 11′ and the space within the eye serves as cavity 12′. Thus, interlocking system 20′ of the variant embodiment would function by hooking tip 6′ onto one of the eyes or receptacle units 13′ along base 3′.

This variant embodiment may be disassembled and collapsed in a manner similar to that of the preferred embodiment. In this variant embodiment, tip 6′ would simply be removed from the eye comprising receptacle 13′ and may be latched onto loop 23 which is screwed onto the back of front panel 1′. The alternate position of pivoting arm 4′ when latched onto loop 23 may be seen in FIG. 7. Pivoting arm 4′ together with front panel 1′ would then fold down at the podium's hinged means until front panel 1′, pivoting arm 4′, and base 3′ lie parallel and are substantially in close contact with one another similar to the position of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

In this variant embodiment, pivoting arm 4′ and loops 21, 22, and 23 would also be preferably made from metal components.

In a second variant embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a “U”-shaped rod would comprise the pivoting arm 4″. The pivoting arm would be connected to the back of the front panel 1″ by screwing curved plates 30 over the straight proximal ends of the pivoting arm. The curved plates 30 would provide enough slack between curved plate 30 and the pivoting arm 4″ to allow pivoting arm 4″ to swing freely. The straight substantial bottom of the “U”-shaped pivoting arm 4″ at the distal end of pivoting arm 4″ would run parallel to front panel 1″ and comprise tip 6″. Each of the receptacle sites 13″ disposed along the length of the upper surface of the base 3″ would comprise substantially a partial circle of pliable material such as metal with two flanges at the substantial tips of the partial circle. An enlarged view of receptacle 13″ may be seen in FIG. 9. Receptacles 13″ may be screwed or glued into place on base 3″. The space within the partial circle of receptacles 13″ would comprise cavity 12″ while the partial circle itself including the two flanges 31 would comprise mouth 11″. Referring back to FIG. 8, interlocking system 20″ in this variant embodiment would function as follows: Tip 6″, the rod at the distal end of the pivoting arm 4″, would be pressed into the partial circle of mouth 11″ until it would become lodged in mouth 11″.

This second variant embodiment of the present invention may be disassembled by pressing down on one of the flanges 31 and dislodging tip 6″. This would loosen the hold of mouth 11″ on tip 6″ and pivoting arm 4″ could then be lifted out of mouth 11″ until it is flat against front panel 1″ as pictured in the alternate position of pivoting arm 4″ in FIG. 8. Pivoting arm 4″ together with front panel 1″ would then fold down at the podium's hinged means until front panel 1″, pivoting arm 4″, and base 3″ lie parallel and are in close contact with one another similar to the position of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

The preceding detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment and variant embodiments of the present invention have been introduced for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not meant to be exhaustive or to confine the invention to the specific forms nor the specific uses disclosed. The present invention may also be used for similar tasks such as reading, studying, reading music, or to prop up notes to be typed into a computer. Furthermore, modification and variations are possible given the foregoing teaching. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by this detailed description. Instead, the claims appended hereto are intended to include the possible variations. 

1. a transportable podium for propping up lecture materials or other materials such as reports, notes, books, or other visual stimuli or materials of similar manner at an angled position, utilizing interlocking means to secure the position of said podium's prop means such that said podium does not lose structural stability, nor its particular angled position though it were to be handled, the podium comprising: a.) a front panel having a substantial front surface against which the lecture material may rest; b.) a lip at the substantial bottom of said front panel projecting substantially outward upon which the bottom edge of the lecture inaterial may rest; c.) a base hingedly attached to the substantial back side of said front panel, comprising a bottom surface which may rest on a supporting surface d.) said prop means comprising a pivoting arm or elongated pivoting member disposed on the substantial backside of said front panel, having a proximal and distal end wherein it is pivotably attached at its proximal end to the said substantial backside of said front panel; e.) said interlocking means connecting said prop means to said base, such that the tip of said distal end of said prop means is of a fixed, predetermined shape that facilitates latching and interlocking onto base.
 2. A podium as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interlocking means further comprises one or more receptacles or receiving means disposed on the said base aligned with the trajectory of said prop means; said receptacle or receiving means comprising an opening such that the said tip of said distal end of said prop means is acceptable through said opening and may lock onto said base by latching onto and interlocking with the rim of said opening; the said tip being of a fixed, predetermined shape that facilitates latching onto and interlocking with said rim of said opening.
 3. A podium as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an angularly adjustable said prop means; said interlocking means further comprising a plurality of said receptacles or receiving means disposed on the said base aligned with the trajectory of said prop means such that latching said tip of said prop means onto any particular one of the said plurality of receptacles or receiving means would form a different angle between said front panel and the plane on which the podium rests depending on which one of the said plurality of receptacles or receiving means the said tip is attached onto, whereby the user may choose a particular angle at which to view the material propped up on said podium.
 4. A podium as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tip of said distal end of said prop means is curved such that it may latch onto said opening in said base.
 5. A podium as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pivoting arm or pivoting member further comprises a hook and said receptacles comprise one or more eyes onto which said hook may latch.
 6. A podium as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pivoting arm or pivoting member further comprises a “U”-shaped rod; said receptacles comprise a substantially partial circle of pliable material with two flanges at the substantial tips of the partial circle such that said pivoting arm or pivoting member may be pressed into said partial circle and become lodged in the said partial circle; and said pivoting arm or pivoting member may be dislodged from said partial circle by pressing down on said flange then lifting said pivoting arm or pivoting member out of said partial circle.
 7. A podium as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is hingedly attached to the substantial bottom of said front panel at substantial edge of said base that faces the viewer.
 8. A podium as claimed in claim 2 wherein said base is hingedly attached to the substantial bottom of said front panel at substantial edge of said base that faces the viewer.
 9. A podium as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base is hingedly attached to the substantial bottom of said front panel at substantial edge of said base that faces the viewer.
 10. A podium as claimed in claim 4 wherein said base is hingedly attached to the substantial bottom of said front panel at substantial edge of said base that faces the viewer.
 11. A podium as claimed in claim 1 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 12. A podium as claimed in claim 2 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 13. A podium as claimed in claim 3 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 14. A podium as claimed in claim 4 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 15. A podium as claimed in claim 5 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 16. A podium as claimed in claim 6 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 17. A podium as claimed in claim 7 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 18. A podium as claimed in claim 8 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 19. A podium as claimed in claim 9 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat.
 20. A podium as claimed in claim 10 wherein the podium is collapsible by dislodging said tip of said prop means from its interlocking relationship to said base, and positioning said prop means against said front panel then folding both said prop means and said front panel along the podium's hinged means until said panel, said prop means, and said base lie parallel and are substantially in contact or substantially nearly in contact with one another so that the podium may lie substantially flat. 